Complaints
83
Crashes
11
Fires
6
Injuries
14
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 1987 Dodge Caravan Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#113 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
Crash-related:3
#26 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Fires:1
#36 complaints
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1987 Dodge Caravan.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 13 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 6 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Trunk Lid | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
13
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
6
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Interior Lighting
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Trunk Lid
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Webbing
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1987 Dodge Caravan. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Caravan Years
1987 Dodge Caravan — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1987 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1987 Dodge Caravan has 83 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock with 13 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1987 Dodge Caravan?
Top reported problems: Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock (13 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (6 complaints); Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner (6 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1987 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA complaints for the 1987 Dodge Caravan include 11 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 14 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1987 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1987 Dodge Caravan as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1987 Dodge Caravan?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Caravan reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1987 Dodge Caravan
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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